Proverbs 19:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity. 1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit: Chasten thy son while there is hope, for perhaps, if he be let alone awhile, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Chasten thy son while there is hope ,.... Of guiding and keeping him in the right way, as long as corrections are or can be hoped to be of use; while in a state of infancy, childhood, and youth; while under parental government; and before habits in sin are grown strong, and the case become desperate, and he is hardened, and proof against all instruction and discipline; and let not thy soul spare for his crying ; the noise he makes, the tears he sheds, the entreaties he uses to keep off... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:18

Let not thy soul spare for his crying - This is a hard precept for a parent. Nothing affects the heart of a parent so much as a child's cries and tears. But it is better that the child may be caused to cry, when the correction may be healthful to his soul, than that the parent should cry afterwards, when the child is grown to man's estate, and his evil habits are sealed for life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Chasten thy son while there is hope; or. seeing that there is hope. Being still young and impressionable, and not confirmed in bad habits, he may be reformed by judicious chastisement. The same expression occurs in Job 11:18 ; Jeremiah 31:16 . "For so he shall be well hoped of" ( εὔελπις ), Septuagint (comp. Proverbs 23:13 ). And let not thy soul spare for his crying. "It is better," says a German apothegm, "that the child weep than the father." But the rendering of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Timely chastisement I. CHASTISEMENT SHOULD BE TIMELY . "Prevention is better than cure." It we wait till the weeds run to seed it is in vain for us to pull them up—they will have sown another and larger crop. The lion's cub may be caught and caged; the full-grown beast is dangerous to approach, and out of our power. Consider some practical applications of these truths. 1 . They show us the importance of early home training. The first seeds are sown at home. If an evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

(See homily on Proverbs 13:24 .)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18-21

The true prudence I. IN THE PARENTAL RELATION . ( Proverbs 19:18 .) 1 . The necessity of discipline. The exuberance of youth needs the hand of the pruner; the wildness of the colt must be early tamed, or never. Weak indulgence is the worst unkindness to children. 2 . The unwisdom of excessive severity. Cruelty is not discipline; too great sharpness is as bed as the other extreme. Children are thus made base, induced to take up with bad company, and to surfeit and run... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 19:18

Proverbs 19:18. Chasten thy son while there is hope Before custom in sin, and thy indulgence have made him hard-hearted and incorrigible; and let not thy soul spare for his crying Forbear not to give him due and necessary correction, through a foolish and destructive pity, excited by his tears and cries; for it is better he should cry under thy rod, than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more to be feared, that of divine vengeance. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:1-29

Lessons heeded and ignored (19:1-29)Moral uprightness is more important than wealth, and wise action is more important than hasty action. People are foolish when they blame God for the trouble they bring upon themselves through their own mistakes (19:1-3).Often the reason the rich have many friends is that these ‘friends’ hope to gain personally from their wealth or influence (4-6). The poor lose their friends, though in a sense they are rich if they maintain their understanding (7-8). People... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 19:18

Chasten = Correct, or discipline. let not, &c. This is not a caution against excess of severity, but against a cruel kindness which ends in death, by withholding seasonable correction. read more

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